YMCA provides camp for homeless kids living in motels

Wednesday

Jul 16, 2014 at 6:00 AMJul 16, 2014 at 4:52 PM

Kathy Flores' 6-year-old son, Nathaniel, who has attention deficit disorder, gets bored easily staying in a motel room most of the day. "Being at a motel without an activity to do, it's very difficult," said Ms. Flores, formerly from Worcester. Nathaniel and other homeless children ages 6 to 12 who are staying at the Econo Lodge in Northboro now have a new option. They can spend their summer swimming, rock climbing, and doing arts and crafts and other enjoyable activities at the YMCA of Central Massachusetts Boroughs Family Branch.

By Elaine Thompson TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

Kathy Flores' 6-year-old son, Nathaniel, who has attention deficit disorder, gets bored easily staying in a motel room most of the day.

"Being at a motel without an activity to do, it's very difficult. It gets him very anxious and bored," said Ms. Flores, formerly from Worcester. "For me, it's very frustrating because I don't know how to entertain him other than TV and table games."

Nathaniel and other homeless children ages 6 to 12 who are staying at the Econo Lodge in Northboro now have a new option. They can spend their summer swimming, rock climbing, and doing arts and crafts and other enjoyable activities at the YMCA of Central Massachusetts Boroughs Family Branch. There's even a science-technology-engineering-math program woven into the camp.

Free summer camp — which usually costs between $195 to $265 a week — was coordinated by Y personnel and Friends of Families in Transition, an organization formed in Northboro in December 2011 to help homeless families that the state placed in local motels.

"They need this like any other kids. It's very important for both their physical and developmental state," said Julie Stanwood, director of FIT. "A lot of their time is spent inside the motel just watching TV. It's hard to keep that age group confined to a small area. They're not going to be happy just playing in the parking lot."

FIT works with churches in Northboro and Westboro, Northboro Junior Women's Club, Moms and Tots of Northboro and other groups to provide supplies and services — including classes — tailored to individual families. Recently the Salvation Army in Marlboro provided homeless families with vouchers to buy clothes at the Salvation Army in Worcester. Mrs. Stanwood said Fay School in Southboro provided the group with a bus and driver for the shopping trip.

Betsy A. Moquin, director of marketing and advancement at the Y, said that as a nonprofit, the agency provides financial assistance for any family in need. The Y has been involved with local homeless families for several years, depending upon the economy and season of the year, she said. In the past, assistance has been provided to children and families who lived in motels in Westboro, Marlboro and Shrewsbury. She said families have since moved out of those motels.

"It's the right thing for us to do," Mrs. Moquin said of the help given to the less-fortunate families. "One of the Y's area of focus is strengthening the foundation of the community. What better way to do that than assist struggling families and give these kids a happy summer … something they'll remember forever? Every child deserves to grow up with a happy enjoyable carefree summer."

As of Tuesday, two boys, ages 10 and 11, had come to the camp. About a half dozen other children are expected to begin camp within the next few days. There has been some delay caused by a language barrier for some parents when completing required forms, including immunization and health records.

"They're both having a blast," Mrs. Moquin said about the first two campers.

The children are able to catch a bus that brings children from Marlboro who attend regular summer camp.

The Y is also providing free full membership to families in the motels. She said it's heartbreaking to think of young families being stuck in motel rooms. The membership, which ordinarily costs $105 a month, allows families to exercise, take classes, and use the pool. There are also movie nights.

"After getting to know some of the families, as much as we were trying to do things for the children, we saw that mom and dad needed a break," she said. "This gives them a chance to get out from the small four walls of a motel and enjoy some time together and forget about the stress for a short time."

Mrs. Stanwood said the Econo Lodge donated money to help First United Methodist Church in Westboro recently buy an 11-passenger van that FIT can use to transport homeless families to the local Walmart once a week to buy groceries and other items. She hopes to double the weekly trips to Walmart and begin a weekly trip to Worcester so families can go to the state Department of Transitional Assistance.

The Y is also providing homeless families with a box of fresh, locally grown vegetables to share each week. The box of vegetables is a bonus from Y members who buy organic shares of produce from Heavens Harvest in New Braintree.

Anyone who wants to help local homeless families can contact FIT at friendsoffit@aol.com or (508) 709-5519.

Contact Elaine Thompson at elaine.thompson@telegram.com. Follow her on Twitter @EThompsonTG